Huge crowds pay respects along Aquino cortege

PHILIPPINES

Jim Gomez, Associated Press

Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Photo: AP

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Tens of thousands of supporters gather at the funeral motorcade for former Philippine President Corazon Aquino as it inches its way along Manila's financial district of Makati city on the way to the Manila Cathedral Monday Aug. 3, 2009 in Manila, Philippines. Masses of mourners yelled her name as former President Corazon Aquino's body was escorted Monday through streets in Manila and along a historic avenue that 23 years ago became the site of a "people power" revolt against a dictator. (AP Photo) less

Tens of thousands of supporters gather at the funeral motorcade for former Philippine President Corazon Aquino as it inches its way along Manila's financial district of Makati city on the way to the Manila ... more

Photo: AP

Huge crowds pay respects along Aquino cortege

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Huge crowds reminiscent of the 1986 "people power" demonstration took to the capital's streets Monday to honor the passing of former President Corazon Aquino, who captured the hearts of Filipinos by ousting a brutal dictator and keeping democracy alive in the Philippines.

The flag-draped coffin of Aquino, who died Saturday after a yearlong battle with colon cancer, was paraded atop a flatbed truck along the streets where the hundreds of thousands of protesters she inspired had faced down army tanks 23 years ago and toppled Ferdinand Marcos.

Tens of thousands of mourners left their offices, schools and homes and converged on streets and overpasses, clutching yellow balloons, waving yellow ribbons and showering yellow confetti from high-rises onto Aquino's casket. Yellow was her signature color and the symbol of the nonviolent mass movement that ushered in an era of democracy after 20 years of authoritarian rule.

Manila's notorious traffic came to a standstill as the cortege inched along on its five-hour procession through the city. "I really just appreciate the love," said daughter Kris Aquino of Monday's gathering. "Everybody's saying thank you to us for sharing my mom."

At a time when some fear for the future of Philippine democracy, or at least are skeptical about the intentions of its politicians, Monday's gathering transcended class and wealth, underscoring the groundswell of public feeling that propelled the "people power" uprising of 1986.

"Thank You Corazon Aquino" and "You're Not Alone" - another Aquino slogan - were emblazoned on huge banners. Even the Philippine Stock Exchange's street-side neon screen eschewed the usual ticker of stock prices and flashed Aquino's portrait and a message: "Goodbye Cory."

The funeral convoy briefly stopped at a monument to Aquino's husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. - whose 1983 assassination upon his return from U.S. exile to challenge Marcos would propel Corazon Aquino to the forefront of the anti-Marcos opposition movement.

The dictator, a stalwart U.S. ally, finally fell after claiming victory over Aquino in a 1986 election widely seen as fraudulent. A group of military officers rebelled against him, triggering the three days of protests by hundreds of thousands that finally toppled Marcos.